Perioperative management of patients with vascular disease

Peripheral artery occlusive disease affects approximately 12% of the population. The evolution of vascular surgery and technologic advances has provided relatively safe and effective treatment regimens for patients with peripheral artery occlusive disease. Vascular surgeries, including carotid endarterectomy, repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm, femoral artery surgeries, thromboembolectomy, and amputation are common surgical interventions performed routinely in many operating rooms. Technologic advances have provided for the success of surgery on occluded arteries. Perioperative nursing care of the patient involves a thorough understanding of the progressive nature of the disease, surgical intervention as palliative, available technology to assist with assessment, and patient and family coping mechanisms. The role of the nurse in caring for patients with peripheral artery occlusive disease spans the health-care continuum from acute care to chronic care. Perioperative, postanesthesia, and intensive care nurses focus on acute care associated with surgical intervention. Practitioners in the rehabilitative and home care arenas must find innovative methods to educate patients and families to become independent and active participants in their care.